Display apparatus for an operating room

ABSTRACT

A display apparatus for displaying medical information in a medical treatment facility includes an image surface to depict information, such that the image surface is configured so that it can be converted by reshaping from an operating condition into a resting condition and vice versa.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims priority of German Patent ApplicationNos. 10 2011 001 681.3 filed on Mar. 30, 2011 and 10 2011 076 316.3filed on May 24, 2011, the content of which is incorporated herein byreference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a display device for an operating roomor another medical treatment facility.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The number of devices and systems that are provided in a modernoperating room or other medical treatment facility for diagnostic ortherapeutic purposes has constantly increased over time. The functionsprovided by these devices and systems are increasing, and the quantityof information made available to surgical and other staff, and requiredto be processed by them, is also growing. Therefore there are efforts tointegrate functions previously fulfilled by numerous separate devicesinto fewer devices and systems; to improve the arrangement of devicesand systems; to display information, which previously was provided atdifferent locations, in a common location and geared as far as possibleto a specific situation, in particular on viewing screens of constantlyincreasing size; and in general to improve ergonomic qualities.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,931,452 describes an attachment for ceiling-suspendedequipment in an operating theater. The stationary ends of girders can bebolted to tracks running in the ceiling, which can also carry cables.

In patent DE 299 03 798 U1, an arrangement is described for movingdevices in the clinical area. A powered driver runs along a trackmounted on a wall and thus draws a mechanically coupled device, whichstands on runner wheels on the floor, from an anesthesiology area, forexample, to an operating room.

Patent DE 197 19 349 A1 discloses a medical work area having amechanically movable projector for projecting images onto a rollableprojection surface.

In DE 200 01 134 U1, a surgical system is described having a virtualtouch screen, gesture recognition, a video projector and a projectionsurface. The video projector can be situated on a track device orsecured in stationary manner. The video projector and display surfacescan be mechanically movable.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to make ergonomic improvementspossible in a medical treatment facility, in particular in an operatingroom.

This object is fulfilled by the content of the independent claim.

Refinements are indicated in the dependent claims.

Embodiments of the present invention are based on the idea ofconfiguring an image surface in an operating room or other medicaltreatment facility so that it is reshapable. The image surface, inparticular, is collapsible and/or foldable. If the image surface isconfigured to be foldable, several areas of the image surface can pivotand/or slide with respect to one another. In a resting condition theimage surface, collapsed on itself or folded up, can occupy a markedlysmaller area than when it is in an operating condition. Thus the imagesurface can have large dimensions in the operating condition and smalldimensions in the resting condition, so that in resting condition itcauses no restricted freedom of movement for medical staff in theoperating room.

A display apparatus for displaying medical information in a medicaltreatment facility includes an image surface to depict information, saidimage surface being configured so that it can be converted from anoperating condition to a resting condition and vice versa.

Medical information is defined for medical staff as relevant informationin the form of moving and non-moving images, graph, text, numerals orsymbols. The medical treatment facility is, in particular, an operatingroom. The image surface, in particular, is curved in concave manner inorder to improve the immersivity and the evocation of a spatialimpression.

As a result of the collapsing and folding of the image surface, areas ofthe image surface are pushed toward one another. In particular, inoperating condition areas of the image surface are alongside one anotherand in resting condition they are above one another. While the imagesurface in the operating condition—apart from narrow intermediate spacesor transitional areas in any event—is flat, in the resting condition theimage surface is, for example, strongly curved and/or comprises severalareas that are positioned essentially parallel to one another and/or arenot contiguous areas. At least in one direction, in particular in thevertical direction, the image surface in the resting condition comprisesa markedly smaller dimension than in the operating condition. Inparticular, the dimension in the resting condition is a third or a halfsmaller than in the operating condition. Other dimensions, in particulardimensions measured in the horizontal direction, can be equal in theresting condition and in the operating condition or can be smaller orlarger in the resting position than in the operating condition.

Modification of the image surface by collapsing or folding makespossible a large image surface in the operating condition forlarge-format depiction of information and a smaller dimension in theresting condition. Owing to the reduced dimension, the image surface inthe resting condition can be more easily removed from the area requiredfor unhindered movement of medical staff. In particular, the imagesurface in the resting condition can be positioned immediately below theceiling of the medical treatment facility.

In a display apparatus as described here, the image surface is, inparticular, a projection surface. A projection surface must comprisepredetermined optical properties, while at the same time in many casesmeeting only minor mechanical requirements. The projection surface cantherefore, on the one hand, have an especially low mass and, on theother hand, be of mechanically flexible configuration. A high mechanicalflexibility of the image surface can simplify the reduction of itsdimensions by reshaping.

A display device as described here, in which the image surface is aprojection surface, can in addition include a projection system forprojecting a depiction of information on the projection surface, whilethe projection system includes a light source, a light modulator and animaging device such that, in particular, the light source is set apartfrom the imaging device and/or from the light modulator.

The light source includes, for example, one or more halogen bulbs,high-pressure gas discharge lamps, light-emitting diodes or lasers. Inaddition, the light source can include one or more mirrors, lenses,filters and other devices to improve the degree of effectiveness of theswitching of light of the light source into a transmission beam path andto produce desired spectral properties. The transmission beam pathincludes, for example, a light conductor cable and/or rod lenses orother lenses or mirrors. The imaging device includes, in particular, alens or an object lens. The projection system includes, moreover, alight modulator, for example a liquid crystal or LCD component or adigital micro mirror device. The light modulator is, in particular,positioned immediately downstream in the light path from the imagingdevice. Alternatively, the light modulator can be close to the lightsource, in particular immediately downstream in the light path from thelight source and a collimating device, or at another location betweenthe light source and the imaging device.

The division of the projection system into a light source and an imagingdevice set apart from the light source can make possible a configurationof the projection system that is optimized with respect to theinterference of a vertical laminar flow field in the medical treatmentfacility.

In a display apparatus with a projection system as described here, thelight source can be disposed above a ceiling surface of the medicaltreatment room and the imaging device below the ceiling surface.

The ceiling surface is the essentially horizontal and essentially levelvisible underside of the ceiling of the medical treatment room. Becausethe imaging device is disposed below the ceiling surface, the projectionsystem can project a depiction of information on a projection surfaceinside the medical treatment room. Because the light source is disposedabove the ceiling surface, the construction space required inside themedical treatment room can be reduced. As a result, in particular, theinterference of a vertical laminar flow field can be reduced. Inaddition, owing to the placement of the light source above the ceilingsurface, heat effluents of the light source can be generated anddiverted outside of the medical treatment room.

Alternatively, in a display apparatus with a projection system asdescribed here, the light source and imaging device are disposed at adistance from one another inside the medical treatment room. Inparticular, below the ceiling surface the imaging device is disposed inthe center or essentially in the center of a vertical laminar flow fieldand the light source is disposed outside the vertical laminar flow fieldand the two are coupled, for example, by a light conductor cable totransmit the light generated by the light source. The light conductorcable can have a small cross-section and therefore cause only a minorinterference in the vertical laminar flow field.

In a display apparatus as described here, the image surface can beconfigured as an image screen.

In particular, the image surface is the controllable light-emittingsurface of an organic light emitting diode (OLED) display. OLED displayscan also be generated in curved shape, in particular with positiveGaussian curvature or dome-shaped curvature. At the same time, OLEDdisplays can have a small thickness and thus also a low mass and a highmechanical flexibility. Because of a dome-shaped curvature, theimmersivity can be improved and a three-dimensional image impression canbe generated. Because of the flexibility, reshaping is possible betweenthe operating condition and the resting condition.

In a display apparatus as described here, the image surface, inparticular, comprises several areas, which in operating condition forman image surface and which in a resting condition are disposed at adistance from one another.

To form the image surface, the areas of the image surface in operatingcondition are disposed alongside one another and flush, so that theiredges border on one another or leave only small distances that do notstand out or disturb in the expected observation distance. In restingcondition the areas of the image surface, in particular, are notdisposed alongside one another but rather on top of one another, so thatin each case a good number of the surface normals of one area penetrateor intersect at least one other area. At least a few edges of areas thatin operating condition border, or almost border, on edges of neighboringareas have, in resting condition, a great distance from all edges of allother areas. In other words, the areas in operating condition aredisposed close to one another and the areas in resting condition are, inparticular, stacked on top of one another. The transformation of theimage surface between the operating condition and the resting conditionincludes in particular a sliding motion of the areas in relation to oneanother, such that the areas of the image surface can be pivotedsimultaneously in relation to one another.

An image surface made up of several areas that are slid in relation toone another in the reshaping from operating condition to restingcondition makes possible a compact resting condition in which the imagesurface, in particular, can be stowed in a relatively small container.Simultaneously the individual areas of the image surface can be rigid,so that the number of technologies used for generating an image on theimage surface is increased.

A display apparatus as described here includes in particular a foldablestructural device and an elastic membrane that is held by the structuraldevice.

The foldable structural device includes, in particular, rigid orelastic, straight or curved rods and/or blades that are mechanicallycoupled with one another by joints. The surface of the elastic membraneforms, in particular, the aforementioned projection surface. Thefoldable structural device and the membrane are, for example, configuredin similar manner to a carriage roof (arched scissors between twojoints) or to an umbrella or parasol or to a domed tent.

A foldable structural device with an elastic membrane held by thefoldable structural device can have an especially low mass and can befolded compactly. At the same time the image surface formed by theelastic membrane can achieve an at least approximately spherical shape.

With a display apparatus as described here, having a foldable structuraldevice and an elastic membrane held by the foldable structural device,the elastic membrane can be removed from the foldable structure andsterilized separately.

For example, the elastic membrane can be connectable with the foldablestructural device by means of push-buttons, Velcro® fasteners or pocketsto receive ends of blades of the foldable structural device, and can beremovable from it again without destruction and in particular withoutuse of a tool. The elastic membrane, in particular, is autoclavable. Ifthe elastic membrane is an OLED display, it can, in particular, becold-sterilized.

The elastic membrane's removable and sterilizable qualities can reduceoperating costs for the display apparatus, in particular costs forcleaning and sterilization.

With a display apparatus as described here, the image surface can becurved in one or in two directions.

In particular, the image surface has a dome-shaped curvature orcomprises a positive Gaussian curvature. For example, the image surfacehas the shape of a portion of a surface of a cylinder, sphere, or otherbiaxial or tri-axial ellipsoid.

Because of a concave curvature of the image surface, immersivity can beincreased and a three-dimensional image impression can be achieved. Fromthese viewpoints, for purposes of observing an image recorded by anendoscope with a viewing angle of 70 degrees, for example, an imagesurface in the shape of a portion of a spherical surface can beadvantageous when the image displayed on the image surface is observedon the same spherical surface from a site opposite the image surface.

A display apparatus as described here can, in addition, include arectification device to reshape an image that is to be displayed by theimage surface in such a way that the image is perceived by an observerat a predetermined site as non-distorted.

In particular, a depiction of an image on a curved image surface can beperceived by an observer as distorted even when the observer's positionis centered in front of the image surface. This applies as well to adepiction of an image on a flat surface when the observer is notsituated at the center in front of the image surface. In particular, anobserver perceives an image in which parallel straight lines appear notto be straight and/or not parallel and right angles do not appear asright angles. This distorted perception can be prevented or corrected bya corresponding reshaping of the image depicted on the image surface.

In the case of a projection of an image on a projection surface, therectification device can include optical devices, for example aprojector with a corresponding corrective imaging device that is alsoadapted to the shape of the image surface (in particular, object lens,lenses, or mirror system). Alternatively or in addition, therectification device can include an image processor that modifies animage signal that controls the depiction of the image on the imagesurface.

A display apparatus as described here can, in addition, include arectification device with an input for receiving a signal that isdependent on a position of an observer, in such a way that therectification device is configured to control the display apparatusdepending on the observer's position.

If the observer of the image surface is not situated precisely in thecenter with respect to it and/or is not precisely centered with respectto an image surface configured as a projection surface in the case of acurvature of the image surface and/or possibly a positioning of aproject, an image impression can arise that is distorted orunnatural-seeming for the observer. To control the display apparatus torectify the image perceived by the observer, the image signal used togenerate the image on the image surface can be modified accordingly. Ifthe image surface is a projection surface and the display apparatus inaddition includes a projection system with a light modulator and animaging device, then alternatively or in addition the image can berectified by pivoting and sliding the light modulator and imaging deviceor parts of the imaging device.

The control of the rectification device depending on a signal thatindicates the position of the observer makes it possible to depict onthe image surface an image that is perceived by the observer asundistorted, largely independently of his own standpoint in relation tothe image surface.

A display apparatus as described here can, in addition, include acontainer that is configured to enclose the image surface in a restingposition.

In particular, the container is configured to incorporate the imagesurface in its resting condition with reduced dimensions. The containercan protect the image surface in its resting condition and promote aquieter and/or more orderly overall impression of the medical treatmentroom and thus improve the ergonometric conditions.

With a display apparatus with a container as described here, thecontainer can be movably attached to a track on a ceiling surface of amedical treatment room.

In particular, the container is mounted to several parallel tracks, oressentially parallel tracks, and can be moved or slid along a pathdetermined by said tracks.

The mounting of the container on the ceiling supply system can makepossible a short path between the resting position of the image surfacein the container and an operating position. In addition, the container,in the framework of a related functioning of the ceiling supply system,can be movable with the image surface in the horizontal direction inorder to make the image surface available at various locations in themedical treatment facility.

A display apparatus with a container on a ceiling supply system asdescribed here can also include a power drive device to move the imagesurface between the resting position inside the container and anoperating position in which information can be depicted visibly formedical staff on the image surface.

The power drive device includes in particular an electrical motor, apneumatic or hydraulic motor, a gas pressure or other spring or acombination of these. In particular, a gas pressure or other spring canpartly or completely compensate the speed of the device that constitutesthe image surface so that the manual or mechanical movement of thescreen between the resting position and the operating position requiresonly a force that is markedly smaller than the weight of the device thatconstitutes the image surface. In particular, a power drive device thatcan be powered by signals of a control device can make possible a rapid,precise and comfortable movement of the image surface between theresting position and the operating position.

A display apparatus with a power drive device as described here can alsoinclude a device to record a gesture by medical staff and to control thepower drive device depending on the recorded gesture.

The device to record a gesture comprises in particular a time-of-flightcamera, a stereo camera or other video camera, an ultra-sound sensor orother sensor by means of which a hand or other body part of the medicalstaff can be recorded. In addition, the device is configured to recordthe movement of the hand or other body part and to identify it with agesture that is associated with a control command.

The device to record a gesture makes possible a contact-free and, whenspecially configured for it, intuitive operation of the displayapparatus. It can become easier therefore for medical staff to bring theimage surface quickly into its resting position or into its operatingposition in order to optimize the treatment space ergonomicallydepending on the situation.

With a display apparatus as described here, the image surface is inparticular a projection surface that can move along a path determined bya track device, while the display apparatus in addition includes aprojector that can be slid along the path to project a depiction ofinformation onto the projection surface and a positioning device toestablish the position of the projector and of the projection surface onthe path, so that the positioning device is configured to position theprojector and projection surface on positions essentially opposite oneanother on the path determined by the track device.

The positioning device includes in particular a mechanical coupling. Forexample, a rope runs along the path determined by the track device, sothat both the projection surface and the projector are coupled with therope at locations distanced from one another. Alternatively, thepositioning device includes, for example, a control device to controlthe positioning of the projector and projection surface, in particularby power drive devices as described hereinafter.

The projector and projection surface are disposed in essentiallyopposite positions on the path determined by the track device when theangle (based on the center point of the surface circumscribed by thepredetermined path) between the center point of the light outlet surfaceof the projector and the center point of the projection surface is atleast 120 degrees. The projector and projection surface are, inaddition, disposed on essentially opposite positions on the pathdetermined by the track device when the distance, measured along thepredetermined path, between points corresponding to one another on atrolley device of the projector and on a trolley device of theprojection surface make up at least one-third of the entire length ofthe predetermined path. The projector and projection surface, inaddition, are disposed on essentially opposite positions on the pathdetermined by the track device when the distance of the straight linesthrough the center point of the light outlet surface of the projectorand the center point of the projection surface from the surface normalto the center point of the surface circumscribed by the predeterminedpath corresponds to a maximum of one-fourth of the sum of the distancesof the two center points of the light outlet surface of the projectorand projection surface from the surface normal.

A display apparatus as described here can also include a power drivedevice to mechanically move the image surface along the path determinedby the track device. If the carrier system bears a display apparatus inthe shape of a projector and a projection surface, one power driveapparatus, in particular, is provided in each case to move the projectorand the projection surface along the predetermined path.

With a display apparatus as described here, with a projection surfaceand a projector, the positioning device includes, in particular, acontrol device and at least either a first power drive device to movethe projector along the path determined by the track device or a secondpower drive device to move the projection surface along the pathdetermined by the track device, so that the control device comprises acontrol output to control at least either the first power drive deviceor the second power drive device.

Additional power drive devices can be provided to life and pivot theprojector and/or the projection surface in one or two directions each.

The power drive device or devices can make possible a self-actuating orautomatic positioning of the display apparatus or of its components or apositioning, controlled for example by gestures, that requires notouching of the display apparatus or of its component.

A display apparatus with a power drive device to mechanically move thedisplay apparatus or a component of the display apparatus as describedhere can in addition include a device to record a position or gesture ofmedical staff and to control the power drive device depending on therecorded position or gesture.

The recording device includes, in particular, a time-of-flight camera, astereo camera or one or more other cameras for two-dimensional orthree-dimensional recording of a room area, where the room area inparticular includes the surgical site, the operating table and/or itssurroundings. The recording device also includes an image recognition orpattern recognition apparatus to identify medical staff or the head or ahand or other body part of medical staff.

A device to record a position or a gesture can make possibleself-actuating or automatic adjustment of the positions of the displayapparatus or of the projector and projection surface at the momentarylocation of the relevant medical staff and at the momentary viewingangle. In addition, the positions of other persons and of equipment canbe taken into account in order to prevent shadowing or partial coveringof the display apparatus and to ensure unrestricted legibility.Recording of gestures can make possible a simple and intuitive controlof the carrier system. Medical staff can thereby be relieved andconcentrate to a greater extent on its actual medical tasks.

With a display apparatus as described here, which includes a positioningdevice with a control and at least one power drive device, the controldevice in particular comprises an input for receiving a position signalthat is dependent on the position of the projection surface in relationto the projector or on the absolute positions of projection surface andprojector.

As an alternative to recording of absolute or relative positions ofprojectors and of the projection surface, the power drive devices cancomprise stepper motors, such that the positions can be determined bycounting or registering completed steps.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments are described in closer detail hereinafter with reference tothe appended drawings, which are as follows.

FIG. 1 shows a schematic depiction of a medical treatment facility.

FIG. 2 shows an additional schematic depiction of the medical treatmentfacility from FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 shows a schematic depiction of an additional medical treatmentfacility.

FIG. 4 shows a schematic sectional depiction of a track device.

FIG. 5 shows a schematic sectional depiction of an additional trackdevice.

FIG. 6 shows a schematic sectional depiction of an additional trackdevice.

FIG. 7 shows a schematic sectional depiction of an additional trackdevice.

FIG. 8 shows a schematic sectional depiction of an additional trackdevice.

FIG. 9 shows a schematic sectional depiction of an additional trackdevice.

FIG. 10 shows a schematic depiction of a carrier apparatus.

FIG. 11 shows a schematic depiction of an additional carrier apparatus.

FIG. 12 shows a schematic depiction of a supply arm.

FIG. 13 shows a schematic depiction of a display device.

FIG. 14 shows a schematic depiction of an additional carrier apparatus.

FIG. 15 shows a schematic depiction of a projection surface.

FIG. 16 shows an additional schematic depiction of the projectionsurface from FIG. 15.

FIG. 17 shows an additional schematic depiction of the projectionsurface from FIGS. 15 and 16.

FIG. 18 shows a schematic depiction of an additional projection surface.

FIG. 19 shows an additional schematic depiction of the projectionsurface from FIG. 18.

FIG. 20 shows a schematic depiction of an additional projection surface.

FIG. 21 shows a schematic depiction of an additional projection surface.

FIG. 22 shows an additional schematic depiction of the projectionsurface from FIGS. 20 and 21.

FIG. 23 shows a schematic depiction of an additional projection surface.

FIG. 24 shows a schematic depiction of an additional projection surface.

FIG. 25 shows an additional schematic depiction of the projectionsurface from FIG. 24.

FIG. 26 shows a schematic depiction of a projection system.

FIG. 27 shows a schematic depiction of an additional projection system.

FIG. 28 shows a schematic depiction of a steering device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 shows a schematic depiction of a medical treatment facility 10,in particular of an operating room, having a floor surface 11 and aceiling surface 12. The plane of projection of FIG. 1 is perpendicularto the floor surface 11 and to the ceiling surface 12. The ceilingsurface 12, in particular, is level or essentially level and is formedby the underside of the ceiling that is visible from the interior of themedical treatment facility 10. On the floor surface 11 of the medicaltreatment facility 10 there stands or is affixed a treatment table 13,on which a patient 14 can lie, for example during a surgical procedure.A broken line indicates the outline of a surgical site 15. Alongside thetreatment table 13 stands a physician or other medical staff 16 with ahead 17. The medical staff 16 holds one hand 18 in the surgical site 15.

In a central area above the treatment table 13, numerous air nozzles 21are mounted on the ceiling surface 12. The air nozzles 21 areconfigured, for example, by openings in grids. The air nozzles 21 areconfigured to generate a vertical laminar flow field 22 of low-dust,low-germ, tempered air, where the low-dust and low-germ air is furnishedby a ventilating system that is not shown in the drawings. The area ofthe ceiling surface 12 occupied by the air nozzles 21 can be, forexample, circular, elliptical, square or rectangular and can comprise atotal surface of several square meters.

Vertically above the treatment table 13 and the surgical site 15, a roomvideo camera 24 is situated below the ceiling surface 12, in particularimmediately below the ceiling surface 12. Contrary to the depiction inFIG. 1, the room camera 24 can be positioned in the ceiling of themedical treatment facility in such a way that only a light inlet surfaceof the room camera 24 is positioned at the height of the ceiling surfaceor immediately below it. The room camera 24 can constitute a disturbanceof the flow field 22 generated by the air nozzles 21 and is thereforeconfigured as small as possible, in particular, and/or as free-flowingas possible.

The room camera 24 is intended to record the surgical site 15 or torecord a larger area that can include the entire treatment table 13 andany medical staff 16 present at the treatment table 13. The room camera24 can be a time-of-flight camera or a stereo video camera forthree-dimensional recording of the surgical site 15 or of a greaterarea. Instead of a room camera 24 or in addition thereto, several videocameras with different viewing angles and/or with different functionscan be provided, for example a time-of-flight camera and atwo-dimensional high-resolution camera without recording a thirddimension.

The area occupied by the air nozzles 21 on the ceiling surface 12 issurrounded by a ceiling supply system that is, in particular, circularin shape, or a component 23 of a ceiling supply system. Integrated inthe ceiling supply system 23 are, in particular, a general illumination25 for essentially homogeneous illumination of the entire medicaltreatment facility or of a central area of the medical treatmentfacility 10 and a surgical light 26 for illuminating the surgical site15. The surgical light 26 includes, in particular, a number of singleemitters, which each generate narrow light cones, and which can beadjustable and/or controllable individually or in groups with respect tothe direction of the light emission and/or the intensity or generatedlight flow and/or with respect to the size of the particular illuminatedangle area and/or with respect to the direction of the light emission.In addition, tracks 31, 33 are integrated in the ceiling supply system23 that each likewise surround in circular shape the area of the ceilingsurface 12 occupied by the air nozzles 21. Contrary to the depiction inFIG. 1, the ceiling supply system 23 can be partly or completelyintegrated in the ceiling of the medical treatment facility 10, so thatthe underside of the ceiling supply system 23 is shaped flush with theceiling surface 12.

Several devices, apparatuses or systems are each affixed to one of thetracks 31, 33 or hanging on one of the tracks 31, 33 and can be moved orslid manually or mechanically along the paths parallel to the ceilingsurface 12 that are determined by the tracks 31, 33. A few examples arepresented hereinafter with reference to FIG. 1 and the other drawings.

One trolley 43 is mounted on the first track 31 of the ceiling supplysystem 23 and carries a projection surface 41 via a carrier 46. A powerdrive device 44 is provided on the trolley 43 for electro-mechanicalmovement of the trolley 43 and, with it, of the carrier 46 andprojection surface 41 along the path determined by the first track 31.The projection surface 41 has, in particular, the shape of a portion ofa spherical surface or of a surface of a two- or three-axis ellipsoid.The border 410 of the projection surface 41 lies, for example, in aplane and is circular or essentially circular in shape or has the shapeof a line of intersection of a cylindrical mantle with a sphericalsurface, so that the cylinder in particular comprises an essentiallyrectangular cross-section with rounded corners.

The projection surface 41 is formed by a surface, facing the medicalstaff 16, of a corresponding body, which for instance isspherical-shell-shaped and whose structural characteristics are notdescribed in further detail here.

An additional trolley 53 can move along the path determined by thesecond track 33 and carries a projector or a projection system 50 forprojecting a moving or non-moving image, a graph, text, figures, symbolsand other images of information on the projection surface 41. Theprojector 50 comprises traits and characteristics, in particular, thatwith respect to the projection of light are conventionally associatedwith a video beamer. A power drive device 54 on the other trolley 53makes possible a mechanical movement of the other trolley 53 and of theprojector 50 along the path determined by the second track 33.

The projector 50 and the projection surface 41 together form a displaydevice for displaying medically relevant information for medical staff16. In addition to the power drive devices 44, 54 on the trolleys 43,53, other power drive devices can be provided on the projection surface41 and/or on the projector 50 in order to be able to pivot these in eachcase in one or more directions, in particular in the horizontal andvertical directions. As a result, the projection surface can be directedat all times at the medical staff 16 and/or at the projector 50 and theprojector 50 can be directed at all times at the projection surface 41.

Another trolley 63 on the first track 31 carries a carrier apparatus 60for one or more medical devices 69. The other trolley 63 and with it thecarrier apparatus 60 can be moved along the path determined by the firsttrack 31 by means of a power drive device 64 on the other trolley 63.The carrier apparatus 60 includes a device holder 67 and a verticalblade 66 that connects the device holder 67 with the trolley 63 and canbe offset at an angle in the upper area, as shown in FIG. 1. Thevertical blade 66 in the example shown in FIG. 1 is telescopable andthus forms a vertical steering device for the device holder 67 and themedical devices 69 that are held by the device holder 67 and that makepossible a vertical movement of the device holder 67 and medical devices69 as indicated by a double arrow.

The device holder 67 in the example shown in FIG. 1 is configured as anessentially horizontal carrier plate on which the medical device ordevices 69 stand. One or more power drive devices, not shown in FIG. 1,can be provided and configured to rotate the device holder 67 or theentire carrier apparatus 60 around a vertical axis and/or to move thedevice holder 67 in the vertical direction.

In addition to the power drive devices 43, 53, 63, shown or not shown inFIG. 1 and described above, or partly or completely integrated in them,position sensors can be provided to record the position of the trolleys43, 53, 63 along the path determined by the tracks 31, 33, anglepositions and positions in vertical direction of the projection surface41, of the projector 50 and/or of the device holder 67. These sensorscan be coupled with a steering device, described below with reference toFIG. 28. Provided that stepper motors are used in the power drivedevices, the corresponding positions or coordinates can be determinedalternatively by counting the completed steps.

The steering device presented below with respect to FIG. 28 can guidethe power drive devices on the basis of the recorded positions andoptionally in addition on the basis of the position or positions ofrelevant medical staff or on the basis of gestures of the medical staffrecorded by the room camera 24 or other sensors. The steering device canthus provide at all times an arrangement and alignment, which areoptimal for medical staff from the ergonometric viewpoint, of theprojection surface 41 and of the medical devices 69 carried by thecarrier apparatus 60. By dispensing predominantly or—as indicated inFIG. 1—completely with conventional ceiling arms, a vertical laminarflow field 22 becomes possible that is largely or completely free offailures.

FIG. 2 shows another schematic depiction of the medical treatmentfacility from FIG. 1. The plane of projection of FIG. 2 is perpendicularto the plane of projection of FIG. 1 and parallel to the floor surface11 and to the ceiling surface 12 of the medical treatment facility 10.The tracks 31, 33 and the paths 37, 39 determined by the tracks 31, 33circumscribe in circular manner the area of the ceiling surface that ispositioned above the treatment table 13. The trolley 43 along with theprojection surface 41, the trolley 53 along with the projector 50, andthe trolley 63 along with the carrier apparatus 60 can be moved alongthe paths 37, 39 determined by the tracks 31, 33. The projection surface41 and the carrier apparatus 60 are shown in FIG. 2 in the same positionas in FIG. 1; the projector 50 is shown in a position that is slightlydisplaced with respect to the position shown in FIG. 1.

In FIGS. 1 and 2, the contours of the spherical surface on which theprojection surface 41 is situated are indicated in broken lines. In thesituation illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, the head 17 and/or the eyes ofthe medical staff 16 are approximately on this spherical surface 48.This configuration has shown itself, for example in observing imagesthat are recorded by an endoscope with an image angle of 70 degrees, tobe approximately optimal with respect to achieving an immersive,three-dimensional image impression for the medical staff 16.

Contrary to FIG. 1, in FIG. 2 one also sees additional projectors, notlabeled with reference numbers, that can be operated in alternation orsimultaneously to allow a uniform illumination of the projection surface41.

FIG. 3 shows a schematic depiction of an additional medical treatmentfacility, which resembles in some respects the medical treatment spacedescribed above with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. Contrary to the examplein FIGS. 1 and 2, in the example in FIG. 3 the tracks 31, 33 and thepaths 37, 39 determined by the tracks 31, 33 each have an ellipticalshape. An elliptical or oval shape of the paths 37, 39 can beadvantageous, for example, under tight space conditions. In theconfiguration shown in FIG. 3, both the projection devices 50 and theprojection screen 41 and carrier apparatus 60 are each rotated withrespect to the associated trolleys 53, 43 or 63.

FIGS. 4 through 9 show schematic depictions of various embodiments ofceiling supply systems 23 and in particular of the track devices formedby tracks 31, 32, 33, 34 on the ceiling supply systems 23, as well as oftrolleys 43, 53 on the tracks 31, 32, 33, 34. The illustrations eachhave for the most part the quality of cut-out depictions, where theplanes of projection or the illustrated sectional planes correspond tothe plane of projection of FIG. 1 and thus are disposed vertically inthe medical treatment facility.

In FIGS. 4 through 9, a room illumination 25 is shown in each case, witha light source and an indicated reflector. Structural details of theceiling supply systems 23 and of the trolleys 43, 53 are each indicatedin all cases. Also, the ceiling of the medical treatment space in FIGS.4 through 9 is indicated in each case only by the ceiling surface 12 andthe air nozzles 21 to generate the vertical laminar flow field 22.

Some of the embodiments presented with reference to FIGS. 4 through 9,alternatively, can be integrated in the ceiling of the medical treatmentfacility provided that the underside of the supply system 23 or theundersides of the tracks 31, 32, 33, 34 are positioned flush with theceiling surface.

In the example illustrated in FIG. 4, tracks 31, 33 are foreseen, withone trolley 43 situated on each. The tracks 31, 33 can be situatedparallel or essentially parallel to one another, or can be at a constantdistance. Alternatively, the tracks 31, 33 can be at a varying distance.Each of the two tracks 31, 33 has a cross-section that correspondsessentially to a “T” rotated by 180 degrees. Each trolley 43 comprisesseveral rollers 430 whose axles are each perpendicular or essentiallyperpendicular to the local direction of the path 37 or 39 (see FIGS. 2,3) determined by the track 31 or 33. In each case one or more rollers430 are positioned over a horizontal running surface on the track 31, 33that is aligned upward in order to transmit the weight impact of thetrolley 43 and the devices affixed to it onto the track 31, 33. In eachcase one or more rollers 430 are contiguous with lateral or verticalrunning surfaces or with horizontal running surfaces of the tracks 31,33 that are aligned downward in order to divert horizontal forces,forces aligned vertically upward, and tipping moments onto the tracks31, 33. One or more running wheels 430 in each case can be powered by apower drive device 44 in order to move or slide the trolley 43 along thecorresponding track 31, 33.

In addition, a contact track 29 of an electrically conductive materialis provided parallel to each track 31, 33. A sliding contact 439 ispositioned on the trolley 43 in such a way that it is contiguous withthe contact track 29 and forms an electrically conductive connectionwith it. A spiral spring or other elastic element can be provided inorder to press the sliding contact 439 against the contact track 29. Thesliding contact 439 thus forms a contact device to form an electricallyconductive contact with the contact track 29. The contact track 29 andthe sliding contact 439 can be provided to transmit electric current andelectric signals between the ceiling supply system 23 and the trolley43. The second pole, required to close a power circuit, is formed forexample by the tracks 31, 33. Alternatively or additionally, furthercontact tracks can be provided, with which other sliding contacts arecontiguous.

Besides electric power, it is possible to transmit, in particular,low-frequency signals or signals with low data rates or bandwidths overthe contact tracks 29 and the sliding contacts 439. In particular,control signals for the power drive device 44 and, in the oppositedirection, position signals, which indicate positions in thecorresponding degrees of freedom, are transmitted by means of thecontact tracks 29 and the sliding contacts 439. At least when thetrolley 43 is not moved, it is possible in addition to transmit signalswith higher data rates or bandwidths, for example image signals.

FIG. 5 shows a schematic depiction of an embodiment that in a fewrespects resembles the embodiment in FIG. 4. In the embodiment in FIG.5, the trolley 43 engages in two opposite U-shaped tracks 31, 33 thatare turned away from one another and is guided therein with severalrollers 430 in each case. The trolley 43 here also grips two diaphragms28. The diaphragms 28 cover two tracks 31, 33 partly or completely, sothat these are not visible to an observer in the medical treatmentfacility. In addition, the diaphragms 28 can protect the tracks 31, 32and the rollers 430 on the trolley 43 from contamination and damage andcan absorb or repress friction occurring on the tracks 31, 32 and on therollers 430.

Contrary to FIGS. 4 and 6 through 9, examples of simple structuralcharacteristics of the ceiling supply system are also indicated in FIG.5. The tracks 31, 32 are components of a profile module that can firstbe anchored on the ceiling surface 12. Thereafter, the room illumination25 and the diaphragms 28 in particular can be inserted as a unit intothe profile module.

Contact tracks and sliding contacts as in the example in FIG. 4 are notshown in FIG. 5 but can also be provided in the embodiment in FIG. 5.

FIG. 6 shows a schematic depiction of an additional embodiment, in whichthe trolley 43 is guided and held by two tracks 31, 32. Each track 31,32 comprises a C-shaped cross-section that is open on the underside.Rollers 430 of the trolley 43 are positioned inside the C-shapedcross-sections of the tracks 31, 32 and support themselves there onhorizontal or essentially horizontal running surfaces. To guide thetrolley 43 in the horizontal direction perpendicular to the pathsdetermined by the tracks 31, 32, the guide studs 311, 321, for example,which are indicated in FIG. 6 and protrude upward on the edges of atrack 31, 32 that are opposite one another, are provided for the rollers430. As an alternative or in addition, other rollers can be foreseenthat are contiguous with the vertical running surfaces in the tracks 31,32 in order to transmit horizontal forces onto the tracks 31, 32.

In the hollow spaces in the tracks 31, 32 that are open underneath, oneor—as indicated in FIG. 6—more contact tracks 29 are positioned in eachcase. Corresponding sliding contacts 439 are provided on the trolley 43.

FIG. 7 shows a schematic depiction of an additional embodiment in whichtwo parallel tracks 31, 32 are positioned on sides of the ceiling supplysystem 23 that face away from one another. Each of the tracks 31, 32protrudes horizontally in a stud-shaped manner. The trolley 43 comprisesrollers 430 that are contiguous with running surfaces that arehorizontal and directed upward, or vertical, or horizontal and directeddownward and that make possible a diversion or transmission of forcesand moments onto the tracks 31, 32.

FIG. 8 shows a schematic depiction of an embodiment in which, similarlyas in the embodiment in FIG. 4, two trolleys 43 independently of oneanother are each guided and held by a track 31, 33. The individualtracks 31, 33 and the guidance of the trolleys 43 in the tracks 31, 33resemble the embodiment in FIG. 6. Contrary to the embodiment in FIG. 6,in the embodiment in FIG. 8, alternatively to the guide studs 311 or—asshown in FIG. 8—in addition to them, rollers 430 are provided that arecontiguous with vertical running surfaces in the tracks 31, 33. Inaddition, contact tracks 29 are provided in the tracks 31, 33 that formrunning surfaces for one or more guide wheels 430 in each case.Transmission of electric power and/or electric signals to or from thetrolley devices 43 is possible via rollers 430 that are contiguous withthe contact tracks 29.

FIG. 9 shows a schematic depiction of an additional embodiment in which,similarly as in the embodiment in FIG. 7, horizontally protrudingstud-shaped tracks 31, 32, 33, 34 are provided on sides of the ceilingsupply system 23 that are turned away from one another. Contrary to theembodiment in FIG. 7, two pairs of tracks 31, 32 or 33, 34 are provided.A first trolley 43 is held and guided by a first pair of tracks 31, 32.A second trolley 53 is held and guided by a second pair of tracks 33,34. Owing to a corresponding configuration of the trolleys 43, 53, as isindicated by way of example in FIG. 9, the trolleys 43, 53 can be movedindependently of one another along the paths determined by the tracks31, 32 or 33, 34 without colliding with one another.

Contrary to the embodiments in FIGS. 4 through 8, in the embodiment inFIG. 9, instead of rollers 430, glider bearings 435 are predominantlyprovided. In addition to the glider bearings, in each case a roller 430,530 is provided that can be powered by a power drive device, not shownin FIG. 9, in order to move the associated trolley 43, 53.

In the embodiments in FIGS. 4 through 8, the rollers 430 can be partlyor completely replaced by glider bearings 435, as described above withreference to FIG. 9. In the embodiment in FIG. 9, the glider bearings435 can be partly or completely replaced by rollers. In particular, ineach of the embodiments presented with reference to FIGS. 4 through 9,it is possible to provide rollers to absorb weight impacts, and gliderbearings for horizontal guidance and to absorb other forces and moments.It can be advantageous in each case to provide a powered running wheelto move the trolley. To make possible a power drive without slippage, apower-drive running wheel can be configured as a toothed wheel and anopposite running surface as a gear rack. Alternatively to a form-lockedor force-locked roller acting reciprocally with the associated runningsurface, it is also possible to use an electromagnetic linear drive, anultrasound motor, a drive via rope pull or manual mobility.

The rollers or glider bearings of the embodiments in FIGS. 4 through 9can be replaced partly or completely by devices for magnetic hoistingand guidance of the trolleys 43. For this purpose, permanent magnetsand/or electromagnets and devices for controlling constant distances areprovided. Devices for magnetic hoisting and guidance of the trolleys 43can, in addition, be configured to power the trolleys magnetically.

In FIGS. 4 through 9, reference number 43 has been used by way ofexample for the trolleys, and in FIG. 9 reference number 53 is alsoused. Reference numbers 43, 53 refer in FIGS. 1 through 3 to thetrolleys that are associated with projection surfaces 41 or projectors50. The trolleys shown in FIGS. 4 through 9, however, can also beassociated with the carrier apparatus 60 from FIGS. 1 through 3 or cancarry other devices, in particular also the devices presentedhereinafter with reference to FIGS. 10 through 24.

FIG. 10 shows a schematic depiction of an additional carrier apparatus60 with a configuration that is an alternative to the one shown in FIGS.1 through 3. The depiction in FIG. 10 has to some extent the characterof a sectional depiction, such that the plane of projection correspondsto those in FIGS. 1 and 4 through 9.

The trolley 63 is connected with a container 68 or—as indicated in FIG.10—is of one-piece configuration. There is an opening 680 on theunderside of the container 68. The device holder 67 in this embodimentis not guided on a vertical telescopable blade, but rather suspended onseveral ropes 661, whose upper ends can be wound up on reels 663. Thereels 663 can be powered by an electromotor 664 in order to wind orunwind the ropes 661 and thus to move the device holder 67 verticallyupward or downward. Thus the ropes 661, the reels 662 and theelectromotor 664 form a lifting device for the device holder 67.

The device holder 67 is depicted with two medical devices 69 in a lowerposition or operating position 671 in broken lines in FIG. 10. Thedevice holder 67, in addition, is depicted together with the medicaldevices 69 in broken lines in a higher resting position 679. In theresting position 679 the device holder 67 closes the opening 680 on theunderside of the container 68. The devices 69 are positioned in thehollow space configured by the container 68 and there largely protectedfrom contamination and damage. Owing to an optically quiet configurationof the outside of the container 68 and of the underside of the deviceholder 67, a calm optical impression emerges that is not likely todistract medical staff from their task and that can enhanceconcentration on relevant information sources.

Many medical devices 69 are dependent on a supply of electrical power,illuminating light from a high-voltage light source, compressed air orother fluids, as well as on an exchange of electrical or optical signals(for example via a Storz Communication Bus SCB) with other devices. Tomake possible a start-up and turn-off of the devices 69 without previousestablishment or interruption of current connections, the medicaldevices 69 can remain constantly connected with power, signal, light andfluid sources, both in the operating position 671 and in the restingposition 679 and in all positions in between.

For this purpose, as an alternative or simultaneously, one or moreextensible cables 651 and/or one or more coilable cables 652 areprovided between the interior of the container 68 and the device holder67 or the medical devices 69 positioned on the device holder 67. Theextensible cable 651 has, in particular, a helical shape, similar to acable generally called a spiral cable, as is provided conventionallybetween a telephone and the user. The coilable cable 652 can be rolledup on a reel 653. The reel 653 can be powered mechanically or by aspring in order to roll up the coilable cable 652 by self-actuation whenthe device holder 67 with the medical devices 69 is raised from theoperating position 671 into the resting position 679.

FIG. 11 shows a schematic depiction of an embodiment of a carrierapparatus 60 that is an alternative to the embodiment in FIG. 10. Theembodiment shown in FIG. 11 resembles the embodiment presented abovewith reference to FIG. 10 in a few characteristics. What particularlydistinguishes the embodiment in FIG. 11 from the one in FIG. 10 is thatinstead of several ropes 661, a scissors mechanism 667 is provided. Thescissors mechanism 667, contrary to the cables of the embodiment in FIG.10, makes possible a rigid guidance of the device holder 67, aside fromthe residual elasticity that is proper to it. The device holder 67 isnot only kept at all times in the horizontal position by the scissorsmechanism—as also by the cables of the embodiment in FIG. 10. Thescissors mechanism 667, in addition, can also transmit onto the trolley63 the horizontal forces exerted on the device holder 67. Thus thescissors mechanism 667 has the function of a steering device for largelyrigid guidance along a predetermined straight vertical course.

In addition, the scissors mechanism 667 can be used to move the deviceholder 67. A force that, for example, impacts only on the topmost pairof blades of the scissors mechanism 667 leads to a uniform reshaping ofthe entire scissors mechanism 667. To that extent, the scissorsmechanism 667 also has the function of a lifting device for the deviceholder 67.

Alternatively, the cables of the embodiment in FIG. 10 can be combinedwith the scissors mechanism 667 of the embodiment in FIG. 11. In thiscase, the scissors mechanism 667 acts primarily as a largely rigid guidefor the device holder 67, which can accept horizontal forces andtransmit them to the trolley 63, while the cables act as lifting devicesfor raising (and lowering) the device holder 67.

Contrary to FIG. 10, in FIG. 11 no cables are illustrated fortransmitting electric power, electrical or optical signals, illuminatinglight or fluids between the container 68 and the device holder 67 and/ormedical devices 69 onto the device holder 67. Cables can be foreseen asthey were presented above with reference to FIG. 10. Alternatively,cables can run along the blades of the scissors mechanism 667 or can beaffixed on them (in particular, at specific points).

FIG. 12 shows a schematic depiction of a carrier apparatus 60, as it ispresented above with reference to FIGS. 10 and 11, with a supply arm 71.The device holder 67 can be guided and raised corresponding to one ofthe embodiments discussed above with reference to FIGS. 10 and 11 or inother manner. Corresponding characteristics are therefore not shown inFIG. 12.

The supply arm 71 is connected at its radially inner end with theceiling of the medical treatment facility via a joint 72, where thejoint 72 makes it possible for the supply arm 71 to pivot around avertical axis. The radially outer end 73 of the supply arm 71 extendsthrough a lateral opening 687 into the container 68 and is fed there inone or more guide tracks 74. The guide tracks 74 make possible, inparticular with a non-circular shape of the path determined by thetracks of the ceiling supply device, a length compensation or acompensation for a variation in the distance between the joint 72 andthe container 68.

The radially outer end 73 of the supply arm 71 is connected with theupper end of the helical, extensible cable 651 described above withreference to FIG. 10, in particular by means of an elastic cable 75. Inparticular, the extensible cable 651 and the elastic cable 75 are formedby different portions of the same cable, which is configured as onepiece. The elastic cable 75 makes it possible to slide the radiallyouter end 73 of the supply arm 71 in the container 68, in particularbecause of a slack loop, as indicated in FIG. 12, with variablegeometric shape.

The supply arm 71, the elastic cable 75 and the extensible cable 651 areconfigured, in particular, to convey one or more different fluids to orfrom one of the devices 69 on the device holder 67. Therefore the joint72, in particular, comprises an insulation by means of one or more shaftseals (often referred to as oil seals) or other insulations.Alternatively or in addition, the supply arm 71, the elastic cable 75and the extensible cable 651 are configured to conduct electric current,electrical or optical signals or illuminating light. For this purpose,one or more corresponding cables can each be positioned onor—advantageously, as a rule—in the supply arm.

The supply arm is not configured to receive forces that exceed its ownweight. The cross-section of the supply arm 71 can therefore be smalland configured for a minimal disturbance of the vertical laminar flowfield 22, for example by a tear-drop shape. A supply arm with theaforementioned properties can also be used with other carrierapparatuses than the one described with reference to FIGS. 10 through12, for example with the one presented with reference to FIGS. 1 through3. In addition, a supply arm 71 with the properties described here canbe used to conduct electric power and electrical or optical signals to aprojector, to a projection surface or to another display device or toone of the apparatuses described below with reference to FIGS. 13 and14.

Also shown in FIG. 12 is a delivery arm 761 with several blades 762,which are connected by joints 763 with one another and jointedlyconnected with the device holder 67. The delivery arm 761 bears asatellite device 768 on its end that is remote from the device holder67. On or in the delivery arm 761, one or more cables 765 can be mountedto transmit electric power, electrical or optical signals, illuminatinglight (for example, for endoscopes) and fluids. The cable or cables 765couple one or more devices 69 on the device holder 67 with the satellitedevice 768. The satellite device 768 can provide operator controls or auser interface in order to control or monitor functions of one or moremedical devices 69 on the device holder 67. In addition, the satellitedevice 768 can comprise one or more connections 769 on which, forexample, illuminating light generated by one of the medical devices 69is provided.

Because the delivery arm 761 is configured with one or more joints 763,the satellite device 768 can be positioned by medical staff inergonomically optimal manner.

Contrary to the depiction in FIG. 12, the delivery arm 761, instead ofwith the device holder 67, can alternatively be jointedly mechanicallyconnected with the container 68, with the supply arm 71, with the joint72 of the supply arm 71, close to the joint 72 of the supply arm 71 withthe ceiling of the medical treatment space 10 or with another attachmentpoint. In the case of a mechanical attachment of the delivery arm 761 onthe joint 72 of the supply arm 71, the delivery arm 761 can be rotatableor pivotable together with the supply arm 71 or independently of it. Inthe case of a mechanical attachment of the delivery arm 761 on thesupply arm 71, the supply arm 71, unlike as described above, isconfigured as a girder for receiving or transmitting or divertingmechanical forces and moments.

The delivery arm 761 can be connected, merely in jointed, mechanicalmanner, with the device holder 67, with the container 68, with thesupply arm 71, with the joint 72 of the supply arm 71, with the ceilingof the medical treatment facility 10 or with another attachment point.Alternatively, one or more linear translational degrees of freedom canbe foreseen that, in particular, make possible a translation of the endof the delivery arm 761 that is at a distance from the satellite device768 in the horizontal and/or vertical direction. For example, one ormore steering devices can be provided that each make it possible toslide the end of the delivery arm that is at a distance from thesatellite device 768 along a straight or curved path. In particular, theend of the delivery arm 761 that is at a distance from the satellitedevice 768 can be slidable along the supply arm 71.

FIG. 13 shows a schematic depiction of a display device 490 that isdistinguished from the display device that is formed by the projectionsurface 41 and projector 50, which are presented above with reference toFIGS. 1 through 3. A screen 491 is mechanically connected via severaljoints 494 and blades 495 with a trolley 493. The trolley can comprisecharacteristics of the trolley presented above with reference to FIGS. 4through 9 and makes possible a movement along a ceiling supply system 23on a ceiling surface 12. In the illustrated example, a blade 495 canpivot only in a horizontal plane or around a vertical axis, whileanother blade 495 can pivot around a vertical axis and around ahorizontal axis.

FIG. 14 shows a schematic depiction of a carrier apparatus for carryingan x-ray source 621 and a locally sensitive x-ray detector 622 and/or animage sensor sensitive to x-ray radiation. The x-ray source 621 andx-ray detector 622 are rigidly interconnected via a C-shaped arc 627.The C-shaped arc 627 is connected with a trolley 623 by several joints624 and several blades 625, 626. The trolley 623 comprises, inparticular, characteristics that are described above with reference toFIGS. 4 through 9. The trolley 623 makes possible a movement along thepath determined by tracks on the ceiling supply system 23 parallel tothe ceiling surface 12.

In the embodiments in FIGS. 13 and 14, the blades 495 and joints 494 orthe blades 625 and joints 624 constitute carrier apparatuses for thescreen 491 or for the x-ray source 621 and x-ray detector 622. Becauseof the maneuverability by means of trolleys 493 or 623, the blades 495,625 can be essentially shorter than conventional ones and thus disturb avertical laminar flow field to a lesser degree than do conventionalgirders. In addition, the blades 495 and 625 can be positioned entirelyoutside the vertical laminar flow field, at least when not in use orwhen the screen 491 or x-ray source 621 and x-ray detector 622 are inresting position.

FIGS. 15 through 17 show schematic depictions of a projection surface 41in an operating condition 411 (FIG. 15) and two additional conditions418, 419. The planes of projection of FIGS. 15, 16 and 17 correspond tothe planes of projection of FIGS. 1 and 4 through 14 or intersect themin a vertical straight line. Similarly as in the carrier apparatuspresented above with reference to FIG. 11, a container 68 and a scissorsmechanism 467 are foreseen. Instead of a device holder, a projectionsurface is foreseen that includes two areas 414, 415 and that can bevertically transported or moved by means of a scissors mechanism 467.The projection surface 414, 415 is domed and curved or comprises apositive Gaussian curvature. In particular, the projection surface 414,415 has the shape of a portion of a spherical surface. The depictions inFIGS. 15 through 17 show the projection surface 414, 415 from the side,that is, a connecting line between a center point of the projectionsurface 414, 415 and a curvature center point of the projection surface414, 415 is parallel to the planes of projection of FIGS. 15 through 17and runs horizontally from left to right.

On the side turned toward the observer, every area 414, 415 of theprojection surface is rigidly connected with a plate 465, 466. The plate465 on the first area 414 of the projection surface and the plate 466 onthe second area 415 of the projection surface are jointedly connectedwith one another via two connecting rods 461, 462. The connecting rods461, 462 in the example illustrated in FIGS. 15 through 17 are eacharch-shaped, in particular in the shape of a half arc. Correspondingplates and connecting rods are positioned on the sides of the areas 414,415 of the projection surface that are not visible in FIGS. 15 through17 and are turned away from the observer.

The mechanical coupling of the areas 414, 415 of the projection surfaceby the connecting rods 461, 462 makes possible essentially only amovement of the areas 414, 415 of the projection surface relative to oneanother, in which both areas do not modify their relative orientation.

In particular, the areas 414, 415 of the projection surface can beconverted from the operating condition 411 shown in FIG. 15 by amovement that is indicated in FIG. 15 by arc-shaped arrows, into thecondition shown in FIG. 16 and from there into the resting positionshown in FIG. 17 by a movement that is indicated by arc-shaped arrows inFIG. 16. It can be recognized that the vertical extension of theprojection surface 414, 415 in the resting position 419 is only half aslarge as in the operating condition 411.

After the transformation from operating condition 411 into restingcondition 419 or simultaneously, the projection surface 414, 415 can bemoved into the housing 68 indicated in broken lines by means of thescissors mechanism 467. In the housing 68, the projection surface 414,415 can be protected from contamination and damage, particularly if,contrary to the depiction in FIGS. 15 through 17, a cap or cover closesthe opening on the underside of the housing 68. Because of thetransformation or conversion of the projection surface 414, 415 intoresting position 419, the housing 68 can be markedly smaller than itwould have to be if it were required to incorporate the projectionsurface 414, 415 in the operating condition 411. A cap or covering canbe connected with the housing 68, in particular with the edge of theopening in the housing 68, by means of a joint. Alternatively, a cap orcovering is positioned rigidly on the first portion 414 of theprojection surface so that the opening in the housing 68 is closed whenthe projection surface in its resting condition has completely enteredthe housing 68.

FIGS. 18 and 19 show schematic depictions of an additional reshapableprojection surface in an operating condition 411 (FIG. 18) and in aresting position 419 (FIG. 19). The planes of projection of FIGS. 18, 19correspond in particular to the planes of projection of FIGS. 1 and 4through 17. A corresponding transformation, however, is also a possiblealternative in the horizontal direction, where horizontal planes ofprojection would yield corresponding images.

The projection surface comprises several areas 414, 415, 416 and has adome-shaped, especially spherical, curvature. The areas 414, 415, 416 ofthe projection surface are jointedly connected with one another byconnecting rods 461, 462, 463, 464. The distance of the joints betweenthe first connecting rod 461 or the second connecting rod 462 and thefirst area 414 of the projection surface is smaller than the distance ofthe joints between the first connecting rod 461 or the second connectingrod 462 and the second area 415 of the projection surface. Alternativelyor in addition, the connecting rods 461, 462 have different lengthsbetween the joints. The same holds true for the second area 415 of theprojection surface and the third area 416 of the projection surface aswell as the third connecting rod 463 and the fourth connecting rod 464.As a result, the connecting rods and the joints form no parallelogramsat the areas 414, 415, 416 of the projection surface. As is recognizablein a comparison of the operating condition 411 shown in FIG. 18 and theresting condition 419 shown in FIG. 19, this causes a non-parallelsliding of the areas 414, 415, 416 of the projection surface. While theareas 414, 415, 416 of the projection surface, corresponding to thecurvature of the projection surface, have different orientations in theoperating condition 411, in the resting condition 419 they arepositioned essentially parallel to one another. This can make possible atighter gripping of the projection surface or of its areas 414, 415,416.

When the projection surface 414, 415, 416, similarly as with theembodiment in FIGS. 15 through 17, is to be stowed in a container in itsresting condition 419 shown in FIG. 19, the parallelism of the areas414, 415, 416 of the projection surface, recognizable in FIG. 19 canallow smaller dimensions for the container.

With a reshaping of the projection surface between its operatingcondition 411 and its resting condition 419, or with the correspondingsliding of the areas 414, 415, 416 in relation to one another, theconnecting rod 462 bypasses the joint between the connecting rod 463 andthe second area 415 of the projection surface. In addition, theconnecting rod 463 bypasses the joint between the connecting rod 462 andthe second area 415 of the projection surface. This is possible if theconnecting rod 462 and its joint to the second area 415 of theprojection surface on the one hand, and the connecting rod 463 and itsjoint to the second area 415 of the projection surface on the otherhand, are not situated in one plane.

The depiction of the connecting rod 462 in shaded lines and of theconnecting rod 463 in broken lines indicates that the connecting rods462, 463 are not situated in one plane. For example, the plane in whichthe connecting rod 462 (and also, in particular, the connecting rod 461)can pivot and the plane in which the connecting rod 463 (and also, inparticular, the connecting rod 464) can pivot are parallel to and at adistance from one another. More generally, the connecting rods 462, 463must be disposed and formed in such a way that they do not block oneanother.

For this purpose, the connecting rods 462, 463 can be positioned in twodifferent planes or, more generally, can be positioned and configured insuch a way that the level or curved surfaces that they pass over do notintersect. Alternatively, the connecting rods 462, 463 can each be ofarched configuration and positioned, for example, inside the same plane,similarly as with the example presented above with reference to FIGS. 15through 17.

FIG. 20 shows a schematic depiction of a second embodiment of aprojection surface 411 that resembles in some respects the projectionsurface presented above with reference to FIGS. 1 through 3. The planeof projection of FIG. 21 corresponds in particular to the plane ofprojection of FIGS. 1 through 3. The projection surface 411, similarlyas presented above with reference to FIGS. 1 through 3, is movablyattached to a track 31 by means of a trolley 43.

Contrary to the embodiment presented above with reference to FIGS. 1through 3, a joint 45 is provided between the trolley 43 and theprojection surface 41, in particular in the carrier 46. The joint 45allows the projection surface 41 to pivot around a horizontal axiscorresponding to the arched arrows that can be recognized in FIG. 2between an operating condition 411 and a resting condition 419. In theresting condition 419, the projection surface 41 is situated immediatelyunder the ceiling surface 12, where it does not restrict medical staffand its freedom of movement or does so less than in the operatingcondition.

FIG. 21 shows a schematic depiction of an additional projection surface41, which resembles in some respects the embodiment presented above withreference to FIGS. 1 through 3 and 20. The plane of projection of FIG.21 corresponds in particular to the planes of projection of FIGS. 1through 3 and 20.

Contrary to the embodiments in FIGS. 1 through 3 and 20, the projectionsurface 41 can slide along the carrier 46 configured as a curved trackor linear guide. Because of the curvature of the projection surface 41and the corresponding arch-shaped curvature of the carrier 46, theprojection surface 41, guided by the carrier 46, can be slid or movedbetween an operating condition 411 and a resting condition 419 below theceiling surface 12, corresponding to the arched arrow shown in FIG. 21.In this sliding of the projection surface 41, it is pivotedsimultaneously around a horizontal axis.

Similarly as with the embodiment in FIG. 20, the projection surface 41in the resting condition 419 below the ceiling surface 12 constitutes noobstacle or disturbance or restriction for medical staff and its freedomof movement. If the ceiling supply system 23 and thus the track of theceiling supply system 23 that guides the trolley 43 is sufficiently farremoved from the vertical laminar flow field 21 (see FIG. 1) that is notshown in FIG. 21, the projection surface 41 even in its restingcondition 419 constitutes no disturbance for the vertical laminar flowfield 21.

FIG. 22 shows an additional schematic depiction of a projection surfaceas is described above with reference to FIGS. 1 through 3, 20 and 21.The plane of projection of FIG. 22 corresponds in particular to theplanes of projection of FIGS. 2 and 3. The projection surface 41 in itsoperating condition can be slid along the path determined by thecircular track 31 between different operating positions 411, 412, 413.Thus, simultaneously, the projector 50 that can likewise be slid alongthe path determined by the track in the projection surface 41 can bebrought into diametrically opposite working positions 501, 502, 503. Inparticular, at least either the projection surface 41 depending on theposition of the projector 50, or the projector 50 depending on theposition of the projection surface, is moved by means of power drivedevices and guided by a control device in such a way that they arenearly diametrically opposite one another at all times.

FIG. 23 shows a schematic depiction of an additional embodiment of aprojection surface 41. The plane of projection of FIG. 22 corresponds inparticular to the planes of projection of FIGS. 2, 3 and 22. Theprojection surface 41 and a projector 50 can be slid or moved by meansof trolleys 43 or 53 along a path determined by a track, similarly asdescribed above with reference to FIGS. 1 through 3 and 22. With theembodiment in FIG. 23, the projection surface 41 has the form of asegment of a cylinder in its operating condition, indicated only indotted lines in FIG. 23. The axis of the cylinder is vertical orperpendicular to the plane of projection of FIG. 23, to the floorsurface and to the ceiling surface of the medical treatment facility.The projection surface 41 can be folded together similarly as a curtain.In particular, the projection surface, from its lateral edges,corresponding to the arrows indicated in FIG. 23, can be shifted into anintermediate condition 418 depicted in a wavy line in FIG. 23 andfurther into a completely folded-together resting condition, which isnot shown in FIG. 23. In the resting condition the projection surface 41constitutes just a narrow bundle, which in addition can be folded awayupward to the ceiling surface in order to avoid any impeding of medicalstaff and their freedom of movement. The projection surface 41 can bestabilized by vertical blades whose upper ends, for example, can be slidin a circular pattern on the track 31 or on a separate track that isattached to the trolley 43.

FIGS. 24 and 25 show schematic depictions of an additional embodiment ofa projection surface 41 in an operating condition 411 (FIG. 24) and inan intermediate condition 418 (FIG. 24) between the operating condition411 and a resting condition that is not shown. The planes of projectionsof FIGS. 24 and 25 correspond, in particular, to the planes ofprojection of FIGS. 1, 4 through 9, 20 and 21. The projection surface41, similarly as in the embodiments in FIGS. 1 through 3, 20 and 21, ismovably attached by means of a trolley 43 to a track 31 of a ceilingsupply system 23 parallel to a ceiling surface 12. Contrary to theembodiments in FIGS. 1 through 3, 20 and 21, the projection surface 41is constituted by a surface of an elastic membrane, which can be tensedby blades 421 or brought into a predetermined shape. Each of the blades421 is arched in shape, in particular in semi-circular shape. The endsof the blades 421 are brought together in two joints 422 opposite oneanother. In the operating condition 411 of the projection surface 41,shown in FIG. 24, the projection surface between two neighboring blades421 comprises approximately the shape of a cylinder in each case.Altogether the projection surface 41 thus has nearly the shape of aportion of a spherical surface.

On the basis of the operating condition 411 of the projection surface41, shown in FIG. 24, the blades can be folded up corresponding to thearrow shown at the left in FIG. 24 and can be pivoted upwardcorresponding to the arrow shown to the right in FIG. 24. By way of theintermediate condition 418 shown in FIG. 25, the projection surface canbe shifted or transformed or reshaped into a resting condition, notshown. In this resting condition the projection surface 41 forms anarrow, arc-shaped bundle that is positioned below the ceiling surface12. In this resting condition, which is not illustrated here, theprojection surface only occupies a small space and constitutes norestriction for the medical staff and their freedom of movement.

FIG. 26 shows a schematic depiction of a projection system as analternative to the projectors shown in FIGS. 1 through 3, 22 and 23. Theplane of projection of FIG. 26 is, in particular, parallel to the planesof projection of FIG. 1. The projection system shown in FIG. 26 can bepositioned in the center of the area of the ceiling surface occupied bythe air nozzles 21 and, in particular, in the center of a circle,ellipse or oval that is formed by a ceiling supply system or one or moretracks parallel to the ceiling surface 12. As a result of thisarrangement, during a movement of a projection surface along a pathdetermined by the track, the projection system is not required to beslid but only rotated around a vertical axis 59. In order to disturb avertical laminar flow field 22 as little as possible, the projectionsystem is positioned at least partly above the ceiling surface 12.

The projection system includes in particular a light source 51, acollimator 52 and a first mirror 551 that are disposed above the ceilingsurface 12, and a second mirror 552, a light modulator 57 and an imagingdevice 58 that are disposed below the ceiling surface 12. The imagingdevice 58 is, in particular, a lens, an object lens or a mirror systemthat has imaging properties. The collimator 52 collimates the lightgenerated by the light source 51. The prevailingly parallel light isdirected by the two mirrors 551, 552 onto the light modulator 57. Thelight modulator 57 is, for example, an LCD component. The imagegenerated by the light modulator 57 is imaged by the imaging device 58onto a projection surface 41. The collimator 52 and the mirrors 551, 552as well as a tube 553 between these two define the cross-section of abeam path 55 to transmit or guide light of the light source 51 to thelight modulator 57.

By rotating the second mirror 552, light modulator 57 and imaging device58 around a vertical pivot axis 59, the direction in which an image isprojected can be adjusted to the site of the projection surface 41. Bytipping and sliding the light modulator 57, imaging device 58 and secondmirror 552 as well as individual components not shown in FIG. 26 (inparticular, lenses and lens groups) of the imaging device 58, it becomespossible to adjust the projection direction as well as the position andthe spatial shape of the image generated by the imaging device 58 to thesite, the orientation and the shape of the projection surface 41. Inaddition, the image of the light modulator 57 generated by the imagingdevice 58 can be reshaped by sliding and tipping the light modulator 57and imaging device 58, depending on the position of an observer, in sucha way that the observer perceives the image on the projection surface 41without distortion, in particular parallel straight lines in the imageas parallel and right angles as right angles.

Contrary to the depiction in FIG. 26, the light modulator 57 or thelight modulator 57 and at least a part of the imaging device 58 can bedisposed above the ceiling surface 12. Thereby, the measuring of thecomponents of the projection system disposed below the ceiling surface12 and the resulting disturbances of the vertical laminar flow field 22can be further reduced.

IF the light modulator 57 and the imaging device 58, otherwise than asshown in FIG. 26, cannot pivot together around the vertical pivot axis59, a rotation of the imaging device 58 around the vertical pivot axis59 can cause a tipping of the projected image. This is especially truewhen the light modulator 57 is disposed in stationary manner above theceiling surface 12. In compensation, it is possible to foresee arotation of the light modulator around the local optical axis of theprojection system, and in particular around its surface normal,simultaneously with the rotation of the imaging device 58 around thevertical pivot axis 59. Also possible is a corresponding mechanicalcoupling between the imaging device 58 and the light modulator 57 or acorresponding logical coupling with a mechanical control device thatcouples both movements.

As an alternative, between the fixed light modulator 57 and the imagingdevice 58 that can pivot around the vertical pivot axis 59, it ispossible to provide a device for erecting an image, for example anarrangement of one or more prisms. This device to erect the image isrotated by a mechanical or logical coupling simultaneously with apivoting of the imaging device 58 around the vertical pivot axis 59, insuch a way that the angle speeds stand in a fixed ratio to one another.

Alternatively, the projection system or a device controlling the lightmodulator 57 can be configured in order to rotate the modulation patternappearing on the light modulator 57, corresponding to a pivot movementof the imaging device 58, around the vertical pivot axis 59.

FIG. 27 shows a schematic depiction of an additional projection system.The plane of projection of FIG. 27 corresponds to the plane ofprojection of FIG. 26. An imaging device 58, similarly as with theembodiment of FIG. 26, is disposed below the ceiling surface 12, and alight source 51 is disposed above the ceiling surface 12. Light from thelight source 51, however, is not transmitted by means of mirrors butrather by means of a light conductor cable 557 from the light source 51over the ceiling surface 12 to a light modulator 57 and to the imagingdevice 58. To switch the light generated by the light source 51 into thelight conductor cable 557, a converging lens 52 is provided. The lightswitched out of the light conductor cable 557 is collimated by acollimator 56 and then modulated by the light modulator 57. The lightmodulator is imaged by the imaging device 58 onto a projection surfacethat is not shown in FIG. 27.

Similarly as presented above with reference to FIG. 26, it is possibleto adjust the projection direction, the position and the shape of theprojection surface by rotating the collimator 56, the light modulator 57and the imaging device 58 around a vertical pivot axis 59 and pivotingaround a horizontal axis not shown in FIG. 27 as well as by tipping andsliding the light modulator 57 and imaging device 58 or components ofthe imaging device 58 with respect to one another. It is also possibleto reshape the image to generate an undistorted impression in anobserver. The latter is possible with both embodiments of FIGS. 26 and27, alternatively or in addition, by modifying the signal that controlsthe light modulator 57.

With most of the embodiments presented above with reference to FIGS. 1through 3 and 15 through 25, it is possible in place of projectionsurfaces 41 to provide image surfaces that, for example, are configuredas rigid or flexible OLED displays in order to emit light and to displayinformation without requiring a projector. Provided that the imagesurface is not elastic as, for example, in the embodiments in FIGS. 23through 25, the image surface alternatively can include a rigid liquidcrystal display (LCD display), a rigid plasma image screen or anotherrigid screen.

FIG. 20 shows a schematic depiction of a control device 80 to controlone or more functions of the systems, apparatuses and devices that arepresented above with reference to FIGS. 1 through 27. The control deviceis, in particular, coupled with the room camera 24 described above withreference to FIG. 1 and additional room cameras 241, 242, an externalimage storage device 85, an endoscopy system 69 with an endoscope 691and a locally sensitive x-ray detector or x-ray sensitive image sensor622, in order to receive images from them. In addition, the controldevice 80 can be coupled with the room cameras 24, 241, 242, theendoscopy system 69, 691, the external image storage device 85, an x-raysource 621 and the x-ray sensitive image sensor 622 in order to adjusttheir operating parameters, to move, pivot and control them.

The control device 80 is also coupled with one or more projectors 50 inorder to emit image signals to the projectors 50. In addition, thecontrol device 80 is coupled with power drive devices 44, 54, 64 atprojection surfaces, projectors and carrier apparatuses in order tocontrol movements of trolley along one or more tracks as well astranslational movements, in particular vertical translation movements,pivoting and rotating movements. The power drive devices 44, 54, 64 andthe control device 80 thereby constitute positioning devices to positionprojection surfaces, projectors, carrier apparatuses or medical devices

The control device includes an internal image source 81, a gesturerecognition device 82 that is coupled in particular with the roomcameras 24, 241, 242 or other sensors, a positioning device 83 and adistortion corrector 84. The gesture recognition 82, positioning 83 anddistortion correction 84 can each be achieved partly or completely byseparate analog or digital electronic hook-up or partly or completely bysoftware or firmware.

The control device 80 is configured in particular to adjust one or moreprojection surfaces and one or more projectors or projection systemsdepending on gestures of medical staff and/or depending on a phase in awork sequence and/or depending on a position or a viewing angle ofmedical staff, in such a way that medical staff can work underergonomically favorable conditions. In addition the control device 80 isconfigured to move or configure projection surfaces, projectors,cameras, carrier apparatuses and other mechanically movable devices insuch a way that they do not impede or harm one another and medicalstaff, and so that a projector and a projection surface, for example,are essentially positioned opposite one another.

1. A display apparatus for displaying medical information in a medical treatment facility, having: an image surface to display information, such that the image surface is configured so that it can be converted by reshaping from an operating condition into a resting condition and vice versa.
 2. The display apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image surface is a projection surface.
 3. The display apparatus according to claim 2, in addition having: a projection system to project a depiction of information onto the projection surface, wherein the projection system includes a light source, a light modulator and an imaging device such that, in particular, the light source is set apart from the imaging device and/or from the light modulator.
 4. The display apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the light source is mounted above a ceiling surface of the medical treatment facility, and the imaging device and/or the light modulator is mounted below the ceiling surface.
 5. The display apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image surface is constituted by an image screen.
 6. The display apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image surface comprises several areas that in an operating condition form the image surface and which in a resting condition are disposed at a distance from one another.
 7. The display apparatus according to claim 1, in addition having: a foldable structural device and an elastic membrane that is held by the foldable structural device and forms the image surface.
 8. The display apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the elastic membrane can be removed from the foldable structure and can be sterilized separately.
 9. The display apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image surface is curved in one or two directions.
 10. The display apparatus according to claim 1, in addition having a rectification device to reshape an image that is to be depicted by the image surface in such a way that the image is perceived by an observer at a predetermined location as non-distorted.
 11. The display apparatus according to claim 1, in addition having: a rectification device with an input for receiving a signal that depends on a position of an observer, such that the rectification device is configured in order to control the display apparatus depending on the position of the observer.
 12. The display apparatus according to claim 1, in addition having: a container that is configured to receive the image surface in a resting position.
 13. The display apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the container is attached in movable manner to a track on a ceiling surface of a medical treatment facility.
 14. The display apparatus according to claim 13, in addition having: a power drive device to move the image surface between the resting position inside the container and an operating position in which information can be depicted visibly for medical staff on the image surface.
 15. The display apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image surface is a projection surface that can slide along a path determined by the track device and wherein the display apparatus in addition includes a projector that can slide along the path to project a depiction of information onto the projection surface and a positioning device to establish the positions of the projector and projection surface on the path, such that the positioning device is configured to position the projector and the projection surface at positions essentially opposite one another on the path determined by the track device. 